Wk 3 Blog Comment: The Art of Possibility

My comment:

It never ceases to amaze me on how those we least expect can influence our days or even our lives. The good thing is you noticed the demeaor of the person who took your order and gave it to you and you embraced it and it impacted you ever since. I really feel you on not wanting to accept things that are just not right like our school systems but one think I had to really focus on was what can I do each day to make some difference and that difference is to touch and impact the lives of my students. The system may be faulty but our students are our future leaders for tomorrow and they will be the ones who make change happen. This concept is really real for me as I teach in a small district in a small city and most people never leave that city. And my philosophy about things that that go wrong is "If it cannot kill me then there will be a tomorrow to get it right". This really bothers some people because they say that I don't let anything get to me but it's better to enjoy life than die suffering through it.

Megan's Original Post:

I have a great example of how we can make a difference in the people we influence each day. I have a difficult time getting up and making breakfast before work so I typically end up stopping for some kind of fast food on the way to work. One day a few weeks ago I decided to give up the 7-eleven food and try a different place so I went to the Chick-fil-a.

The person taking and giving me my order could have easily thought, “I am a no body, just taking an order what difference does it make?” Instead she was a leader from right where she was seated. What I mean is that I approached that drive thru with a negative attitude thinking, “I don’t want to be up this morning, and really don’t want to go deal with teenagers either.” Just from the one interaction with the lady at Chick-fil-a, I drove off thinking, “I have some warm food, and I am awake. I should make the best of my day.” It really was simple all the lady did was take my order and hand me some food, but she did it in a way that made me feel like she was happy to be alive. I do not remember the exact words that we exchanged but I was in such a good mood, and I have eaten at that Chick-fil-a every morning since then, and each morning she leads me to a happier day.
Chapter 6 is what I live my life by. I am a firm believer in Rule Number 6. When we take things too seriously, we often get bogged down, life is too long to get stuck in the mud.
Chapter 7 really hit me hard. Some things such as the weather I have no problem accepting the way they are because it is clear to me that I DO NOT have the power to change the weather. When it comes to other situations such as how broken the public school system is, I just cannot accept it. I think if I learned to accept it then move on from there then I would have a better chance of making things better. I really enjoyed this chapter and I will do my best to just come to grips with things the way they are and go from there.
I am really passionate about soccer. It is weird because when it comes to many things in life I have the “Fuck It” attitude. I just don’t care when things go wrong. I live and think this way to avoid frustration and disappointment. When it comes to soccer though I am like the six year old running with her instrument loaded with excitement not b/c she just played but because she is ABOUT to play. I have this glow of enthusiasm around me before, after, and during playing, coaching, watching, or refereeing soccer.

Wk 3 Reading: The Art of Possibility

Moving in the right direction
image from
www.freedigitalimages.net

The point that stood out for me in chapter 5 was the importance of embracing those you are in authority over or that you teach as leaders themselves. Being able to embrace them as important beings to the cause increased their aptitude to perform and help the musicians to connect with the job conductor and the better understand the his job. Also, leaders are everywhere, and the obstacle to overcome is being able to identify te moment to allow them to assume a leadership role and allow them to lead.

The idea expressed in chapter 6 to "remember rule number 6" is one that I can personally relate to wholeheartedly. I don't really know where this undertone in my life evolved from but i do relate to the concept very well. The idea that difficult people in our lives are made up of those whom we cannot control to give our own self a boost has really brought me to an ah ha moment. Within ourselves, it is important to do things that will bring personal satisfaction and be able to experience moments of reaching our goas. In calculating self while getting in touch with the central self is not an easy task, but it is the central self that controls our actions, how we think and sometimes even how we treat other.

"The capacity to be present to everything that is happening, without resistance, creates possibility." When I read that phrase, the words "what are my alternatives?" come to mind. I believe it is just apart of human nature to concentrate on things that are not the way, we feel, they should be. Undoubtedly, when we feel that things are not as they should be, we foster the attitudes of negativity unti we find our way to see alternatives. What I take away from this chapter is we have a choice to focus on what should be or what the possibilities are. It is often times easier to focus on what should be based on our personal standards and it takes work to embrace the reality of what is and focus on what could be.

Giving way to the passions in our lives can be somewhat a difficult taks when being bombarded by distractions and limitations that surround our every being. Chapter 8 suggests that we take notice to wht is holding us back and let go. Only ten can we participate in the bigger scheme of things that are a part of our lives and cause change within our communities. Once we recognize our barriers, then we are to get busy and get involved with moving forward to accomplish what it is the we have set our sights on.

Wk 3:Blog Post: Difficulties starting new programs/breaking the norm

Today's student needs
technology to learn!
Image from
 freedigitalphotos.net

Educators being so reluctant to change, especially with technology is a great issue at my campus. I found that even those working with special ed kids don’t want to use technology. The only thing I can think of is that these teachers are stuck on doing things their way not realizing that all kids do not learn the same and have missed the boat on using technology as a tool to increase engagement. Then the other reason is that they have not and will not learn themselves. Go figure, educators not willing to learn!!!!!!


In other industries, a new program is introduced, you get trained and you perform. Or you loose your job. Educators get to pick and chose. That is such a shame for our students.

Wk 2 Reading: We all have something to contribute

We all hav something to contribute!

Diverse backgrounds help to culminate how people perceive the world and construct information that is read and reviewed. But I personally believe that it is more than just perception that determines what is seen, but also the personality of the individual. The assumptions we make are often that of our own benefit and not the benefit of the common good of all involved. Often times, we tend to see what will benefit us or we keep our perceptions within our own comfort zones or orms rather than moving from the limitations of what is into a world of new possibilities. The text states that we perceive only sensations we are programmed to receive. Then my question is what or who are the programmers and what influence do they have on our overall thought processes and how we really perceive what we see.

Possibilities exits by the standards that are placed on situations. The fact is that we as individuals cannot possibly know and understand all the realities or situations that we are faced with in daily life. Yet we ten to measure up our situations by what we know and how we feel, again based off our perceptions. I do believe that it is true that when we take the worry out of being in control of our situations, we do tend to take more risks and experience more success than buy what we limit or the standard of measure we hold to our own capabilities.

This is also true in how we see others. In chapter 3, "Giving an A", there is a great example of we as educators must view not only our students, but also our fellow co-teachers. There must be the will to make a positive difference in the lives al all we come in contact. Though I do not agree with beginning with an A, I do believe we must give credit for effort while taking into account the final product. It si important that we realize the growth our students achieve in comparison to where they began before and after completing their assignments and assessments. Starting with an A may work best with older children and maybe with elementary level students who will strive to maintain. But something happens with 7th and 8th graders. In my personal experience, a vast majority of this age group do not try as hard so it makes it risky to start with an A and not encourage them to work hard to earn the A. Though this could me my own perception based off my personal experiences that have helped to shape my ideas on the matter.

The art of being a contributor in the world around you makes a lot of sense to me. I liked the assignment the author gave to his students to describe themselves in light of contribution. I can't help but think about my students and how they really don't understand, some of them, how important they are to the world around them. It is clear that contributing to the life of others in a positive manner casuses rewards that have no limits from within, just as the writer expressed in his visit to the center where he gave his presentation to the elderly who he helped to realize new possibilities in their own lives.

MAC Wk2 Discussion Deeper: Podcasts in Education

I attempted to use podcasting sites that did not have a specific focus but ones that had a collection of topics from how to use and create a podcast to how they are used in the classroom to kids discovering events all around them. I hope that these podcasts listed below will provide some information necessary for all to use in their classroom.

One free program that I use in my classroom is Audacity. You can download it and it is really simple to use. The kids love being able to change their voice and add background music to their message. I use this piece when were are doing our unit on cyber bullying. The kids have to create a public service announce and present it to the class. The best one are aired on our daily announcements and go out a PSA to the school.

http://www.redgage.com/links/ronpass/education-podcast.html

This is a website full of useful information on any and every subject. I chose this site because of the link http://www.squidoo.com/educationpodcast which provides a wealth of information on podcast definition and actually how to create a podcast.

http://podcasting-in-education.wikispaces.com/#x-Creating Podcasts
is a wiki that also gives detailed information on how to create a podcast while offering podcasting tutorials that are very user friendly for even the least novice individual

http://podcasting-in-education.wikispaces.com/#x-Creating Podcasts

This website provides a wealth of podcasts and minicasts on any subject. Again even though it offers the podcast that can be used in the classroom, there are detailed instructions on how to create podcasts and minicasts and it all free.

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/gadgets.html

This web site is Kathy Schrock’s guide for educators that provides a unit on podcasting in the classroom for educators. The site includes a podcasting network, resources, podcasting guides and podcasts in the classroom.

http://www.kidsknowit.com/interactive-educational-movies/free-educational-video-podcasts.php

This website consists of a children’s learning network, mostly geared towards younger children, with educational podcast to use in the classroom for learning. The podcast are fun and engaging with all the appealing agents necessary for engagement of younger children.

MAC WK 2 Free Choice Blog Comment

Kathleen,

I am almost afraid of what is ahead of me after learning all the skills that I have learned here at Full Sail. I so hate that there are still so many teachers at me school that will not embrase technology in allowing their students to be free to explore their content using technology. I am always seeking ways that students can use tools from the web to help them increase their knowledge in other classes. This year, our math scores held us back from being a recognized school and it hurt. So I will be seeking all sites possible to introduce our students to that will allow them to practice their math processes and steps for this upcoming year.

Kathleen's original Message:

Minnesota hosts a technology conference every year, usually around December, the feature workshops on how technology is used in the classroom and also sessions on how this technology affects schools and the legal issues that may come along with them. I would like to take the things I’ve learned and been able to implement in my own classes and share them with the conference goers. I think that it is important to share your successes and failures in the classroom and open up a dialogue that can help you grow as a teacher as well. 

Using technology to increase student literacy is something educators should be exploring more than we are. Kids are plugged in, wired - we need to help them gain the literacy skills they need to be successful in this world. Those skills include traditional skills and 21st century skills. My work with Full Sail has given me the tools to take what I’ve learned and done and share it with others so they too can create a technology rich environment to enhance student learning and engagement.

MAC: Wk2-2 DB Quickies: CD Ownership, Music Sharing or Spontaneous Listening

The first song/artist that touched you on an emotional level, not just a catchy tune, but something that sank in under the skin?

After the 8 Track, then came the Cassette
image from freedigitalphotos.net

Well, I mostly listened to gospel music growing up and I must say there are several songs that really stick with me but I must say two of my favorite are Your Grace and Mercy, I forget the artist right off hand. The other song is Near the Cross by Frank Williams and the Mississippi Mass Choir. Frank was killed shortly after recording with the choir but he sung as though he knew it was his last recording.
On the secular side of music, I would say songs like All this Love and I Like It by DeBarge and oh my Girl by Morris Day and the Time. Girl was a love song that Morris sang that too many people don’t know about. Also song by Roberta Flack and James Ingram The Music Never Ends. I could just go on and on.


Please feel free to comment and add more songs as you please.